Band n1 (5G NR, 2100 MHz)
Understanding Band n1
Band n1 represents the pragmatic approach to 5G deployment: reusing existing spectrum rather than acquiring new bands. Operators who invested heavily in Band 1 infrastructure for UMTS and LTE can deploy 5G NR on the same frequencies using Dynamic Spectrum Sharing. This provides immediate 5G coverage across their existing footprint, complementing dedicated mid-band NR (n78, n79) in urban areas where capacity is the priority.
DSS works by dynamically allocating each time-frequency resource element to either LTE or NR based on connected device capabilities and traffic demand. The overhead is 15 to 25% compared to dedicated NR, but the benefit is zero additional spectrum cost and instant nationwide 5G coverage. As LTE traffic declines over time, more resources shift to NR, eventually enabling a full 5G-only carrier.
Band n1 Technical Parameters
UL: 1920 – 1980 MHz (60 MHz)
DL: 2110 – 2170 MHz (60 MHz)
Duplex spacing: 190 MHz
NR Configuration:
SCS: 15 kHz (FDD) | Max channel: 20 MHz
DSS overhead: 15–25% spectral efficiency loss
DSS Performance (20 MHz carrier):
NR DL (DSS): 50–100 Mbps
Dedicated NR DL: 80–120 Mbps
EN-DC DL (B1 + n78): 1–2 Gbps aggregate
Band n1 vs. Other NR FDD Bands
| NR Band | LTE Equivalent | Frequency | Coverage | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| n1 | Band 1 | 2100 MHz | Mid-band | DSS coverage (EU, Asia) |
| n3 | Band 3 | 1800 MHz | Mid-band | DSS coverage (global) |
| n20 | Band 20 | 800 MHz | Low-band | DSS coverage (Europe) |
| n28 | Band 28 | 700 MHz | Low-band | Rural 5G (APAC, EU) |
| n71 | Band 71 | 600 MHz | Low-band | Nationwide 5G (US) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Dynamic Spectrum Sharing work on Band n1?
DSS allows LTE and NR to share the same carrier simultaneously by dynamically allocating each resource element. NR devices receive NR-formatted resources; LTE devices continue on LTE resources. Overhead is 15 to 25% vs. dedicated NR. This enables 5G on existing spectrum without a separate carrier, allowing instant nationwide 5G coverage.
What performance does Band n1 provide?
DSS on 20 MHz: 50 to 100 Mbps DL. The primary benefit is 5G coverage, not peak speed. n1 matches the existing LTE Band 1 footprint without new spectrum or sites. In EN-DC (B1 + n78), LTE provides reliable connectivity while NR n78 provides high throughput where available. Aggregate throughput reaches 1 to 2 Gbps.
Which operators deploy 5G NR on Band n1?
Vodafone, Deutsche Telekom, Orange, and Telefónica in Europe. NTT DoCoMo and SoftBank in Japan. SK Telecom, KT, LG U+ in South Korea. Not deployed in the US (2100 MHz is AWS/Band n66 there). Used to extend 5G coverage beyond n78 mid-band footprints.